Plastics moulders from across the country are set to compete for honours at the Quick Mould Change Competition taking place at this year’s PDM Event at the Telford International Centre on 14 and 15 June 2016. Teams will have 60 minutes to change a mould correctly, safely and as quickly as possible on an Engel machine. Judges from plastic moulding training and technology consultancy RJG Technologies will oversee the competition.

Plastics moulding companies are invited to enter a team of two technicians for the competition. Entrants will compete to be the fastest to complete the tool change under the judges’ scrutiny to ensure safe working methods. The final installation will be inspected to ensure correct installation including mould operation, set up of water pipes, clamp positioning and torque settings. Judges will also check that the tool is demounted correctly and the work area left tidy.

The two winners of the challenge will receive a trophy to take back to their company and a £200 Amazon voucher each.

“Fast tool change in production can increase both injection mould availability and safety levels during mould changeover,” says Richard Brown, managing director of competition sponsor RJG Technologies. “The Quick Mould Change Competition at the PDM Event 2016 is a great opportunity for mould technicians to prove their skills against the clock to find the fastest and safest tool change team within the industry. Anthony Goff of RJG Technologies will be using his vast experience to evaluate technique and adherence to safe practices to find the eventual winner.”

“Engel UK is delighted to be supporting the PDM Quick Mould Competition by providing one of our machines for moulders to use at the show,” adds Graeme Herlihy, managing director, of competition sponsor Engel UK. “Our tie-bar-less design will certainly make it easier for competitors to carry out a mould change quickly, safely and accurately. It will also be an effective showcase for our flexible, cost effective and highly energy efficient machines.”